The trio of books above (as well as a couple sequels) introduced me, a bespectacled nerd of eight waaay too into ABBA and Greek philosophy for my own good (gay! gay! gay!), to the wonders of physics, theology, and biology -- no one but L'Engle could make a mitochondrion the scene an apocalyptic battle between good and evil. Plus: damn good writing.

These books, along with Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea Trilogy (soon to be a Narnia-like movie or three) and a few other young adult gems challenged and enchanted me, and did much to fly me past all the bruising I endured on the schoolyard (see? I WAS smarter than those bullies! Ha! Bite me.)